BHP invests in renewable energy for Nickel West

That is why the company is investing in renewable energy at Flat Rocks Wind Farm Stage 1 to help power its Nickel West operations.

Construction on Flat Rocks Wind Farm Stage 1 began in mid-2022, and it is now one step closer to completion with installation starting for the 18 wind turbines of the greenfield wind farm around 264 km south of Perth.

The project, built by Enel Green Power, will help to reduce Nickel West’s scope two carbon emissions by approximately 32% (from the 2020 Nickel West emissions total).

Rob Whitham, Nickel West Manager Energy and Utilities, said the wind farm was a great addition to the power supply at Nickel West.

“Upon completion the wind farm will generate renewable energy equivalent to the entire annual electricity consumption at our Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter and Kambalda Concentrator each year,” he said.

“We have signed an initial 12-year power purchase agreement with Enel Green Power for 100% of the energy produced at Flat Rocks Wind Farm Stage 1 beginning in January next year, with options to extend.”

Rob travelled to the construction site with the Nickel West Business Development team recently and said they were extremely impressed with the progress to date.

“The scale of the foundations supporting these large turbines is huge requiring around 12 000 m3 of concrete and 1200 t of steel reinforcement,” he said.

“It was great to witness the construction aspects of wind farms as we continue to study further renewable generation options for our operations.”

Installation of the turbines is expected to be completed in the coming months, with electrical commissioning to follow.

When it is complete, each turbine will reach 200 m at its highest point, making these the tallest wind turbines in Western Australia.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/environment-sustainability/02082023/bhp-invests-in-renewable-energy-for-nickel-west/